The negativity is almost as disappointing as the game. This was a very good season. And a better season than either last year or the CUSA NCAA season. If you don't believe that, take a look at the RPI at year end.
The last 2 seasons this team actually over achieved. The talent level Manning handed off to Haith was not on par with SMU, CIN, Temple, and UConn yet they contended for the AAC title. Haith's offense requires athletic bigs who can hit turn around jumpers in the paint and finish at the rim. More importantly guards who have range beyond the arc and athletic enough to slash and finish at the rim. This bunch had a combo of those necessary skills, but no single player who possesed all those skills to the table. Teams with quickness and length plagued this bunch, and putting forth more effort was necessary to compensate and overcome the differences.
These Sr's should be applauded for what they achieved, it's just disappointing it was a lack of effort that ended their season, not the usually gap in talent. I'm looking forward to the new class coming in, from all accounts theor ceilings are higher than the outgoing class, and they should fit style of play much better. I am also looking forward to the continued growth of Taplin, T.K., and Birt. It will be very refreshing to have a point guard who forces defenses to respect his perimeter game.
TX